Boat Ramps

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General Considerations

• The boat ramp should be placed in a convenient, all-weather, vehicle accessible location in the pond or lake where the surrounding topography accommodates construction with minimal excavation or fill.
• Generally, level or gently sloping areas on the perimeter of the impoundment will be superior to steep grades.
• Ramp length should be based upon low water level of the summer months. The end of the ramp should extend far enough into the water to provide at least 4 foot water depth even during the summer when water levels are typically at their lowest (Figure 1). Generally, ramp length should be at least 40 feet.
• The ramp should be a minimum of 14 feet wide. This will allow room for vehicle operators to exit and enter towing vehicles and walk on the stable ramp surface to load or unload boats.
• Ramp slope should be between 12 and 15 percent (12-15 foot drop per 100 linear feet of ramp length; see Figure 1.)
• It is advisable, but not necessary, to keep the slope constant for the length of the ramp. The slope may be varied to accommodate the terrain, but be sure vehicles and trailers will not scrape the ramp surface at the point of slope change. Ramp slopes greater than 15 percent will result in several problems, including: possible vehicle slippage due to poor traction, loss of drivers’ capacity to see the boat and trailer in rearview mirror when backing or pulling out of water, and difficulty loading the boat safely on a trailer. Slopes less than 12 percent may require backing the vehicle into the water to reach a water depth sufficient to float the boat for loading or unloading.